What’s Yorkshire eating, how a patchwork quilt can change your life, and why the country is gripped by a gluten attack are just some of the questions which will be tackled at a unique festival of health taking place across the city next week (April 16-24).

Life: A Festival of Health, From Head to Toe is hosted by world-class medics and scientists from the University of Sheffield and gives members of the public the chance to explore and discover ground-breaking research which is making a difference to people across the world.

With more than 30 activities taking place throughout the city the festival is guaranteed to have something for all ages.

Professor Allan Pacey (pictured) from the University of Sheffield’s Medical School, who is leading the festival and also hosting a QI-style event entitled Myth Busters of Human Reproduction, said: “The Life Festival is all about the fantastic research we do in Sheffield.

“We have all kinds of things taking place including lab tours which give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what happens in revolutionary medical research, we’ve got film screenings, a story telling evening, and a chance to hear from a world-leading gastroenterologist.

“We are really eager to tell the world what we are doing, engage with the local community and to help share our expertise about healthy living.”

The event is organised by the University in partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The inaugural Life Festival which took place two years ago attracted around 2,300 visitors.

Quilt to Quit: How making patchwork can change your life – Saturday 23 April, 2pm-4pm at The Art House, 8 Backfields

A number of hands on interactive activities will take place at Moor Market on Saturday 23 April between 11am and 4pm. Events include a Teddy Bear Hospital, Breathe Easier: How to Avoid Chest Infections, Uncovering Clinical Trials and The Science of Bones.

Researchers from the Jessop Wing of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are asking people to dig out their knitting needles and crochet hooks on Tuesday 19 April in order to help make 100 hats for 100 babies.

The Big Knit, hosted by BBC Radio Sheffield, is open to experienced knitters and those that can crochet to make baby hats. Volunteers will be provided with knitting patterns, tea and biscuits and wool, which has kindly been provided by Wool Monkey in Penistone. Members of the public simply have to bring their knitting needles.

Patterns are available to suit all needles/hooks and skill levels on the website. Whilst crafting, knitters will be given the chance to learn more about the amazing research taking place at Jessops and why the hats will be so beneficial to both babies and parents.

Anyone interested in attending the event should register online for a two hour slot between 8.15am until 5.15pm.

Knitter Lydia Harris, Clinical Research Manager and event organiser, said: “The hats we make are so important because they help protect the babies against heat loss. The mothers can also take the hats home with them, while their babies are in an incubator – the smell of them helps them to bond with their baby and also helps them to express milk.

“We want to make 100 hats for 100 babies. The hats they have unfortunately don’t last long because they have to be washed at such high temperatures so they are really vital.

To see full list of events taking place during the festival and to register to attend please Click here